On the recordJune 7, 2016
earlier today, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution convened a hearing on a piece of legislation I introduced with several of my colleagues called the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, or the HEAR Act. This bill is long overdue, and like most pieces of good legislation, it is pretty straightforward. During the Holocaust, Nazis regularly confiscated private property, including artwork, adding one more offense to their devastating reign. Today, the day after the anniversary of D-day and decades after World War II ended, there are still families who haven't been able to get their stolen artwork or family heirlooms back. The HEAR Act will support these victims by giving them a chance to have their claims decided on the merits in a court of law and hopefully facilitate the return of artwork stolen by Nazis to their rightful owners. That is why we called the hearing ``Reuniting Victims with Their Lost Heritage.'' It is true that Hitler's final solution in World War II was not just the extermination of the Jewish people but erasing their culture. This was part of the overall plan in Hitler's final solution. This legislation will help those who had vital pieces of their family and cultural heritage stolen to find justice. This legislation is also consistent with our country's diplomatic efforts and longstanding congressional policy. I am grateful to my colleague from Texas, Senator Cruz, as well as the senior Senator from New York, Mr.…
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